12 pot-friendly changes needed in Seattle

July 9, 2015 3:55 PM

Of course, only the Liquor Control Board (soon to be the Liquor Cannabis Board) can issue a state-license for a store … and there are other limiting factors, such as distance from parks and childcare businesses. But, hey, eventually we can change all the rules. Look what we did with I-502.

A marijuana retail shop in Pike Place Market area that sells one... Photo-8092536.110972 - seattlepi.com

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City-licensed marijuana cafes that allow vaping and other forms of ingestion and sells coffee and snacks … or whatever food. The city might want a state law specifically allowing these, but could allow them under private club rules to get around the ban on public display of weed. Though, that’s not ideal of course. less

City-licensed marijuana cafes that allow vaping and other forms of ingestion and sells coffee and snacks … or whatever food. The city might want a state law specifically allowing these, but could allow them ... more

City-licensed delivery services, so medical patients (especially) and tourists don’t have to drive to a shop (even if No. 1 came into being). While, the city can’t circumvent state law (even if it did create a delivery license, the practice would be illegal under state law … though it might be worth thumbing our collective nose at Olympia (which is what I-502 does to the Feds).

That said, the mayor’s office has released an new FAQ page with this statement: "Mayor Murray has supported advocacy efforts in Olympia by the City of Seattle for a change to state law to create a legal form of marijuana delivery to serve both the medical and recreational markets in order to ease access for patients and halt the growth of the illicit market for marijuana delivery.”

City ordinances allowing one marijuana plant per household. Since the state legislature can’t wrap it’s head around grow your own. (Again, this kind of rule-making falls outside of the city’s purview, but it doesn’t hurt to put it on the wish list.) less

City ordinance that magically carves out the legal right to share marijuana (Only with adults, by golly!). The Legislature also failed to recognize the importance of taking laws off the books that no one pays any attention to — especially, felony marijuana distribution laws that include giving or sharing. less

City ordinance that magically carves out the legal right to share marijuana (Only with adults, by golly!). The Legislature also failed to recognize the importance of taking laws off the books that no one pays ... more

Photo: PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson, Getty Images/PhotoAlto

City ordinance that magically carves out the legal right to share... Photo-8092541.110972 - seattlepi.com

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Public signs listing/mapping the locations of legal shops … for tourists and weekenders (like this flier the Seattle City Attorney’s has created, check it out in the story below). Don’t buy off the street, go here instead. If No. 3 came to pass, add that information. The point here isn’t to promote marijuana use, but to undercut illegal sales by openly promoting the new legal system. less

Public signs listing/mapping the locations of legal shops … for tourists and weekenders (like this flier the Seattle City Attorney’s has created, check it out in the story below). Don’t buy off the ... more

A pot-friendly beach or two (vaping only so not to run afoul of smoking ordinances) with life guards trained to advise people on illegality of underage use in particular. As with alcohol, it’s fairly pointless to try to keep these products off the beaches, though clearly most beach should be marijuana and alcohol restricted. Openness equals better compliance? less

A pot-friendly beach or two (vaping only so not to run afoul of smoking ordinances) with life guards trained to advise people on illegality of underage use in particular. As with alcohol, it’s fairly ... more

Photo: P-I File

A pot-friendly beach or two (vaping only so not to run afoul of... Photo-8092543.110972 - seattlepi.com

Photo: Nathan Chrysler of DOPE Magazine hoists a container with the winning number of votes for the people's choice marijuana strain during "Studio 4/20," a legal marijuana celebration put on by DOPE Magazine at 7 Point Studios on April 20, 2013. (Joshua Trujillo, seattlepi.com)

Special licenses for expo-type events involving marijuana … so that High Times et al. can run cannabis cups. And we can celebrate the excellence of our state-grown weed. Right now there’s no pot-friendly

Special licenses allowing marijuana use in special areas at some 21 and over concerts. Because people are either lighting up in front of the stage or stepping outside to illegally smoke in public.

Special licenses allowing marijuana use in special areas at some 21 and over concerts. Because people are either lighting up in front of the stage or stepping outside to illegally smoke in public.

Photo: P-I File

Special licenses allowing marijuana use in special areas at some 21... Photo-8092545.110972 - seattlepi.com

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Marijuana compliance ambassadors who walk the city’s core reminding people of the rules and handing out the City Attorney's information packet (see bottom of this story page). These folks cannot police officers, who might have a conflict of interest in reminding people how, when and where they can use and buy marijuana. Plus, that’s not what a cop is for. less

Marijuana compliance ambassadors who walk the city’s core reminding people of the rules and handing out the City Attorney's information packet (see bottom of this story page). These folks cannot police ... more

Fast-response, marijuana OD hotline … for when someone pulls a Maureen Dowd. They would be first-evaluators who can talk you through it and help you decide if you need further help. Could be part of Washington Poison Center, but with a much more cannabis-friedly name so people would actually use it.

Youth Weed Ambassadors: They go to events, schools … anywhere there are kids and talk openly and frankly about marijuana and why kids should wait to use it, the same as talking about alcohol to kids. Openness will help kids make better choices … instead of having to get information from peers and adults who may not know any more about it than the kid does. less

Youth Weed Ambassadors: They go to events, schools … anywhere there are kids and talk openly and frankly about marijuana and why kids should wait to use it, the same as talking about alcohol to kids. Openness ... more